2026 Dorian TV Awards Honor LGBTQ+ Excellence in Television

HBO Max Dramas and Comedies Sweep Major Categories

HBO Max productions claimed four top awards at the 2026 Dorian TV Awards, announced August 15 by GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics. 'Heated Rivalry' won Best TV Drama and Best LGBTQ Show, while the final season of 'Hacks' took Best TV Comedy and Best Written Show. The wins mark HBO Max's strongest showing in the awards' 18-year history.

Acting Honors Recognize Veteran and Emerging Talent

Jean Smart extended her dominance in comedy categories with her third Dorian win for 'Hacks', while 'Pluribus' star Rhea Seehorn earned her first Best Drama Performance trophy. Francois Arnaud's supporting turn in 'Heated Rivalry' and Kate O'Flynn's work in Apple TV+'s 'Widow's Bay' completed the acting sweep. Special honors went to 'Hacks' co-star Hannah Einbinder (Wilde Wit Award) and 'Queer as Folk' reboot showrunner Jacob Tierney (Trailblazer Award).

Documentary and International Categories Showcase Range

Hulu's 'Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery' chronicled 1990s queer music history to win Best LGBTQ Documentary, while Netflix's Korean thriller 'Squid Game' and Japanese romance 'The Boyfriend' claimed non-English language honors. The wins reflect what GALECA VP Gerrick Kennedy called "the community's stories [being] as varied and worth telling as any other."

Streaming Services Dominate Winners Circle

Of 19 competitive categories, streaming platforms claimed 15 wins. HBO Max led with 5 awards, followed by Apple TV+ (3) and Netflix (3). Broadcast television's sole winner was CBS's 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' for Best Current Affairs Program. FX/Hulu's 'Alien: Earth' and Apple TV+'s 'Pluribus' tied for Most Visually Striking Show.

Complete List of 2026 Dorian TV Award Winners

Best TV Drama: Heated Rivalry (HBO Max)

Best TV Comedy: Hacks (HBO Max)

Best LGBTQ Show: Heated Rivalry (HBO Max)

Best Limited Series: Half Man (HBO Max)

Best Non-English Show: Squid Game (Netflix)

Best LGBTQ Non-English Show: The Boyfriend (Netflix)

(See full list in Deadline's official announcement linked here)

Where to Watch the Winning Shows

All HBO Max winners are currently streaming on the platform. Netflix's 'The Boyfriend' joins its catalog September 12, while Apple TV+'s 'Pluribus' and 'Widow's Bay' require subscriptions. Hulu offers 'Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery' with premium add-ons.

About GALECA and the Dorian Awards

The 600-member critics' organization has honored LGBTQ+ television since 2009. This year's jury considered shows premiering between June 2025-May 2026. Unlike industry peer groups, GALECA requires no submission fees from networks and prohibits campaigning.